Leadership Team

George Plante has a degree from Peace River Bible Institute, and also studied at Mid-America Reformed Seminary.

In his outside vocation, George has recently been involved in the construction industry. He serves as council chairman, and is one of three preaching elders on our leadership team. He and his wife Rosalyn have six children.

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Defining moment that led you to ministry?

I don’t really recall any particular moment that has led me into ministry. Rather, I would define it in terms of a progression. This progression has been encouraged, nurtured, and helped along the way by numerous people, books, and events that have come into my life over the years. Of course, all of the above has been graciously orchestrated by the hand of God.

Three books that most influenced you?

I’m not sure how to boil a lifetime of book collecting, reading, studying (and sometimes just admiring a well-bound book) down to three choices. There is a distinct possibility that on a different day three different volumes might come to mind.

I’ll start with a book that challenged a young Bible College student to seriously begin to use his mind - How Should We Then Live, by Francis Schaeffer.

Next, I’ll choose something from a period in my life when people began to look to me to teach and preach the Word of God. The New Testament Commentary, by William Hendriksen. Especially the volume on Philippians as it was the first book of the Bible that I tackled to preach through.

Currently, I am enjoying N. T. Wright’s For Everyone series. Both in terms of encouragement and growth in our family devotions, and thought-provoking material that I have used in help with sermon preparation.

Three people who most influenced you?

As I have grown older, I, like many others before me, have realized more and more the profound effect that parents have on their children. My parents came to faith late in life (my father was almost 50). Theirs was a long and slow progression in grace. They lived and practiced a simple faith - served where and when they could (usually as the hands that did the unglamorous tasks) - read the Bible and prayed daily. They stayed married for a lifetime and worked hard to feed, clothe, and house nine children. They spent many years quietly supporting and encouraging me along this road of ministry.

Jake and Marie Penner are cherished by our whole family. We have spent many years observing their lives of commitment and service. Jake who lives a gritty and tenacious faith, and Marie who has supported and served alongside her husband, have spent a lifetime of ministering in a variety of roles and locations. Their goal of loving others to Jesus has always been more important than money or fancy careers.

Dale Callahan is a man that I am honoured to call a “friend who is closer than a brother.” As we have laboured together, he has been an encourager and a challenger (both in word and deed) in ministry. Dale has been a good friend to laugh with, a close brother to cry with, and a great buddy to have a beer with.

Interests and activities?

Anyone who knows me even a little knows that I have long held a passion for books - the thrill of a well-told tale - the profundity of a truth discovered. Reading to the family has been, and still is at the top of my to-do list. I enjoy listening to a variety of music genres and artists (something that often goes well with reading a good book). Our family for a number of years has enjoyed being involved in a soccer program run by a little country church. My wife and I have worked at making our home a place where various young people can come to have a snack (or meal), watch a movie, play a game, have a visit, or just hang out.

How do you see the gifts of those with whom you serve in leadership?

I see Tim as our “resident theologian” (by the way, that’s not a bad thing). Tim’s gifts and abilities become apparent to any who take the time to get to know him. His writing has blessed not only members of our congregation, but many others as well. Tim has served faithfully in teaching and preaching God’s Word in our midst. He has also used his abilities in numerous other functions-taking care of necessary paper work and other things like designing our web site.

I have known Jamie for many years and watched him grow as a church leader and head of his home. He has longed desired to serve God with his musical abilities, and he does so weekly in our worship services. I have witnessed Jamie’s passion and journey for years, and as an acquaintance of ours once said: “I don’t know anyone who puts more theology in a song than Jamie.” Jamie, his wife Val, and their children have over the years blessed many with their gifting in music. Jamie and Val, also continually bless others by their exemplary practice of hospitality.

Dale is a man of passion. It doesn’t take you long to figure it out either. You can see his passion in his witness, you can see his passion in his preaching, you can see his passion in his living. Dale has a passion for the lost and a passion to see other believers grow in their walk with Christ. His passion comes across not only at church but in every aspect of his life, which is witnessed in the constant stream of people flowing through Dale and Bonita’s home.

Leo has been a friend for over a decade now and he has never altered from the generous and giving guy that I first met. He serves our congregation well as our deacon as he watches out for the needs of others. I have watched Leo for numerous years use his business to reach out into the community with the Gospel in word and deed.

Before God rescued him as a young man, Dale Callahan appeared headed for a life of violence and petty crime. That rescue has helped maked Dale particularly effective in communicating God's grace to the unchurched.

In his other vocation, Dale is a letter-carrier. He serves as vice-chairman of our church council, and is one of three preaching elders on our leadership team. He and his wife Bonita have four children.

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Defining moment that led you to ministry?

I cannot say that there was "one" defining moment for me. When I first began to follow Jesus, He gave me a great hunger for His Word, to eat it up, and also to share it with others. Within my first year as a Christian, my first pastor began to encourage me to exercise my gifts to teach. Throughout the years I have had several godly men recognize gifts and abilities in my life, and have encouraged me to use them to edify the church. Twenty years later, by God's grace, I continue to do so!

Three books that most influenced you?

This is such a difficult question because there are so many books that have shaped and molded my thinking. I could put many more books down, but these are three that come to mind.

1. TULIP, by Duane Spencer. This is the book that began me on my journey to better understand God's ultimate sovereignty in all things, and it was the book that began my steps heading towards the Reformed Faith.

2. Reformed Is Not Enough, by Doug Wilson. This book helped me to better understand the objectivity of God's covenant. It clearly revealed that God alone is the infallible reader of His own secrets; to the rest of us (His creatures) He gives the "revealed things" to live by (Deut 29.29).

3. Mother Kirk, by Doug Wilson. This book helped me grow in my love for the Bride of Christ. It encouraged me to not only want to strive to be a good Christian, but to live my life as a "Church man."

Three people who most influenced you?

This is very similar to the book question. God has so richly blessed me throughout the years with godly men to encourage, teach and support me, including all the men I presently have the privilege of serving shoulder to shoulder with in CCC. With that said....

1. Scott Advani - God brought Scott into my life for a very short period of time (a few months in total). Scott was the mouthpiece that God used to point me to the Lord Jesus Christ (the Man who is truly the most influential in my life). I am not sure where Scott is today - I have not been able to locate him - but I will always be thankful for his boldness in preaching the gospel of Jesus to me when I needed it most! I will never be the same!

2. Pastor Art Dyck - Pastor Art welcomed me into his home when I first became a believer. His home was always open to visitors. He loved the Word of God. He looked at young men with the eyes of faith, not seeing them for what they were, but what God could shape them into. Pastor Art taught me what the heart of a pastor should be.

3. Dr. Greg Bahnsen - I never had the honour of meeting Dr. Bahnsen but I have spent hundreds - if not thousands - of hours learning God's word from him through audio tapes, CDs and MP3s. God has used Dr. Bahnsen to shape and mold my thinking in theology and apologetics greatly.

Interests and activities?

Between a full-time job, a beautiful wife and four children, and a position of leadership in the church, spare or free time is in short supply. I do enjoy reading, working out with weights, and spending time playing in the water (if it's hot and sunny out). I also have a heart to encourage young men to seek Jesus, and to use their God-given gifts to strengthen the church and advance Christ's kingdom.

How do you see the gifts of those with whom you serve in leadership?

George is one of my closest friends. He is a gentle giant. When you look at him from a distance you see a quiet man, but up close he is much more outgoing and hilarious. George loves Jesus, and this love is seen in how he leads his home, leads the church, and clearly preaches God's Word! George is a loyal friend, and has a heart to serve Jesus and His church. George is our eldest elder, and he has walked faithfully in one direction for many years.

Jamie - I have had the honor of serving alongside of Jamie for 10 years. Jamie is a man who has God's Word musically interwoven in his soul. He has an excellent grasp of the Scriptures, a deep love for Christ's church, and the amazing gift of building and strengthening God's people with the Word of God in song! Jamie loves his wife Val and all of his eight children, and they use their home well to share the love of Christ with many, many people.

Tim is a man who has a passion to know his Lord and Saviour deeply. He has a deep grasp of the Scriptures and an amazing gift to teach deep biblical truths to God's people, in both the written and preached word. Tim is gifted with word play and is always using his quick mind and sense of humour to keep people laughing. Tim is also gifted as our technical support guy. This wonderful website you are looking at is the work of his hands!

Leo has a heart that is a mile wide and just as deep! He always has an eye to recruit people and to bring them into God's family. Leo and Yolanda are continuously having people into their home for hospitality, and often have guests living with them in the spare room(s). Leo has always showed himself to be a generous and patient employer, giving men a second, third and twentieth chance. Leo is a great deacon, quick to share Jesus' love in word and in deed.

Tim Gallant graduated with honours from Mid-America Reformed Seminary in May 2000. Vocationally, he runs a graphic design and web site development business, and also finishes concrete.

Tim serves as clerk of our church council, and is one of three preaching elders on our leadership team. He is also in charge of the church web site. He and his wife Kristi have eight children.

Note: Tim is presently on leave of absence.

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Q & A with Tim

Defining moment that led you to ministry?

A number, but a key memory is speaking to a man who told me that, although he had been a regular church attender in a church in Edmonton, the previous year when he visited his sister's church in Ontario was the first time he had heard the Word of God preached in twenty years. That struck me in a way I can scarcely describe, that God's sheep need to be fed.

Three books that most influenced you?

So many. One of the books that revolutionized me was N. T. Wright's The Climax of the Covenant - not so much because I adopted a bunch of his positions, but because it really helped bring me back to the biblical text.

Gary North's Unconditional Surrender, simply for one small paragraph or so where he raised the issue of paedocommunion - something that stuck with me and I eventually had to do something about.

Cornelius Van Til's stress on suppression of the truth was one of the early things that struck me and forced me to recognize God's sovereign role in salvation, but a lot of my exposure to that was secondhand... although I did read A Christian Theory of Knowledge fairly early in my journey from Pentecostalism to the Reformed viewpoint.

Three people who most influenced you?

Nobody famous, really, and probably nobody who would completely endorse where I've landed!

My father, who was an itinerant Pentecostal preacher, left me a strong sense of God's greatness and the ultimate authority of Scripture over everything.

A Bible school teacher named Brent Houlding, who made us think.

Best known would be my New Testament professor at seminary, Dr Nelson Kloosterman, whose teaching I found a practical challenge to wrestle with my own preconceptions.

Interests and activities?

I'll take spending time with the wife and family as self-evident. Obviously I am big on stuff related to design and web development. I also like to play tennis when I can, and have fun tracking the pros. Reading - I am a big fan of Chaim Potok, and really enjoy the classic Russians like Tolstoy and Dostoevski, as well as 19th century English writers like Austen and Trollope.

How do you see the gifts of those with whom you serve in leadership?

George is our senior statesman. Everyone knows he has a sense of humour, but he provides us with ballast, and in the pulpit he is clear and always brings people back to the text.

Dale is more our "grit" guy - he's thoroughly biblical, but he makes sure we're bringing that into the real world. More than anyone, he keeps us looking outward.

Aside from the obvious musical stuff, Jamie has very sound pastoral sense, and along with Dale, I think those two households really help show us the way with hospitality.

Leo is always engaged - because he's not an employee, he really takes the opportunity to spread the gospel through his business. He is truly selfless - a true deacon, which means "servant."

The music of Jamie Soles has spread around North America by means of family concerts and CD sales. Two of his key gifts are fresh musical word-for-word renditions of the Psalms, and child-friendly retellings of Bible lists and stories. In his day job, he is a guitar teacher.

Jamie is our chief musician and also serves as alternate treasurer. He happens to be our only elder who does not preach... for the time being. He and his wife Valerie have eight children.

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Q & A with Jamie

Defining moment that led you to ministry?

Defining moments are hard to pinpoint. I knew from the time I was 13 or so that I wanted to be a musician and a recording artist, but even in those days there was an understanding in my heart that I was not to be doing this to glorify myself, but rather to glorify God. I was always looking to write and sing songs that would connect my hearers to Jesus.

I remember as a young man looking seriously at those lists in Timothy and Titus, and knowing that I would need to develop those qualities if I were to be useful for the kingdom of God. The leadership in my church began to recognise that God was doing something in me, and pressed me into service, and I have been a leader in the church almost continually ever since. I love Jesus, and I want you to love Him too.

Three books that most influenced you?

Does Dr. Seuss’s Fox In Sox count?

The Knowledge of The Holy by A.W. Tozer was a book that opened my eyes to the glory of God more than anything I had read up to that point.

The Reduction Of Christianity by Gary DeMar and Peter Leithart was a book that brought about a sea change in how I viewed the world. These fellows introduced me to the future, in which the glory of Jesus was paramount. Gary North, in the foreword to the book, asked all the right questions; they begged to be answered in a way in which I was not accustomed to think, but the answers appealed greatly to me.

Grand Illusions by George Grant, identified for me one of the great evils of our days in his exposé of Planned Parenthood. It is a profoundly pro-life book.

Three people who most influenced you?

George Plante was a great help to a young man trying to walk faithfully. He and Rosalyn taught me a lot about hospitality, about friendship, about sacrificial giving, etc. I’m very thankful to God for them.

Douglas Wilson has modelled for me what it means to be to be a fearless pastor who stands on the Word of God and proclaims it boldly, despite opposition. He is an excellent man, a prolific writer, and a musician, too!

James Jordan has taught me more about the Bible than anyone. God has gifted that man with a deep and profound understanding of how the Bible is put together, and his ability to make connections between texts is astonishing. When I grow up, I want to know the Bible like James Jordan.

Interests and activities?

I am a singer/songwriter who loves to make Bible story songs and Psalm versions. I have a house full of musicians, and we have taken the show on the road a number of times, doing concert tours through a lot of Canada and the States. I love doing concerts. I love making recordings, and am usually in the studio once a year or so with a new CD project in the works.

I very much enjoy working with our church, leading singing and services, and interacting with our people. I like teaching acoustic guitar and songwriting skills. I like reading stories to my children. We have done all the classic series like Lord of the Rings and Narnia and Harry Potter and the Prydain Chronicles at least twice. I like taking my Valerie out for dinner, and I need to do it more often. I’m an Edmonton Oilers fan, just like all my neighbors. I have been developing a love for Canadian history, and have been writing history songs for our Classical Conversations group.

How do you see the gifts of those with whom you serve in leadership?

George Plante is a wise man. His home is open, particularly to young people who need a comfortable place to relax. He is gifted at opening up the Scriptures to the congregation, and explaining them in simple terms. He loves his wife and family, and is a good shepherd, modelling after the Good Shepherd.

Dale Callahan is a man whose only fear is public speaking, but you would never know it. He thunders the Word with gospel fervor, and all the saints from cradle to grey get it. He is a great lover of Jesus first, and people second. His rapport with young men is exemplary; here is a man worth following. They all ask him to officiate their weddings, and that’s saying something! He and Bonita are wonderfully hospitable, and are a great example to the rest of us.

Tim Gallant has been one of my best friends for 25 years now. His knowledge of the Scriptures is deep and wide, and his ability to study, then preach even the most difficult passages, is great. His sense of humour is boundless, and he is Uncle Tim to a large portion of our church’s children, including mine. Tim has been a tireless servant at clerking our council meetings, and numerous other mundane tasks that need to be done without fanfare. His recent marriage to Kristi has brought him great joy, and great challenges as well.

Leo Wattel is a true deacon indeed. He is an employer, one who helps others onto their feet. He is always looking for ways to advance the kingdom of God. He is a great lover of people, a sacrificial giver when needs arise. Leo and Yolanda are the gold standard at putting on a party and inviting everyone. Leo loves it when God’s people worship Him rightly.